Bernard D. Raxlen, MD

Dr. Raxlen’s philosophy of treatment views Lyme Disease syndrome as a complex infectious-neuro-immune phenomenon. A diagnosis is made based on the patient’s comprehensive medical history, physical examination, symptom presentation, and advanced serological testing. Unfortunately, standard serological methods (Elisa, Western Blot IgG and IgM), can be either false negative or false positive in up to 40% of cases. Therefore, the physician must rely on his patient’s unique clinical symptoms and accordingly determine treatment. This includes "length" and "route" of antibiotic administration (such as intravenous, intramuscular injections, oral, and auxiliary support treatments). New blood culture studies for Borrelia and Babesia, the use of electron microscopy, as well as PCR and DNA testing have helped to more accurately confirm the presence of the infecting organisms.

Most patients have seen a number of physicians before finding one that who can make a correct diagnosis, and initiate a successful treatment. The often variable nature of the patient’s symptoms, combined with the negative serology, creates diagnostic uncertainty. This results in frustration for both the well-meaning specialist and the concerned patient.